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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    Free Printable Instructions – Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial

    April 4, 2019

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Calligraphy, Dip Pen Calligraphy, Flourishing, Free Printables, Printable Goodies, Tutorials, Worksheets

    Today’s post boasts a fun printable surprise: a printable calligraphy tutorial packet detailing how to make a flourished bee! If you’ve got a moment this weekend, get your dip pen out and give making this little guy a shot. I’d love to see your results on Instagram — you can tag me @thepostmansknock!

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    Free Printable Instructions - Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

    Ever since I released the Not Your Average Calligraphy Drills: Garden Edition, I’ve received several requests for instructions over how to make the flourished bee on the front. I love that bee, and I think it doubles as a beautiful piece of artwork and a killer calligraphy drill! So, today I went ahead and made a free printable Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial. It’s a four-page calligraphy tutorial with step-by-step directions over how to use a dip pen to make that cool little bee!

    Springtime Motivation

    As the weather gets warmer, I’m feeling more inspired to pull springtime themes into my work. We’ve been going outside a lot, which feels amazing! No matter how much you love being indoors doing art or calligraphy, a bit of outdoor time is always rejuvenating.

    Remy and Hernán on a Hike
    Hernán, Remy, and I often take advantage of the nice weather to go on hikes! It’s a win-win because we get a workout in and Remy (surprisingly) stays entertained. 🙂

    I absolutely think that the season affects creative projects. Just as you might cook a certain way in winter versus summer, you also may find that the types of projects you take on and the colors/styles you use in those projects change seasonally! I’ve definitely seen that reflected in my mail art and my sketchbook.

    Free Printable Instructions - Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial | The Postman's Knock
    This little bee looks amazing on the back of envelopes! He is a delightful surprise for both the recipient and postal workers.

    The Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial Packet

    You can find the free Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial packet by clicking here. It’s a PDF file, perfect for printing or just viewing on your computer!

    Free Printable Instructions - Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

    The packet includes four pages of instructions over how to make the flourished bee. You’ll start by tracing a template, then take it from there!

    Free Printable Instructions - Flourished Bee Calligraphy Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

    In order to create the flourished bee, you will need to know how to use a dip pen. It’s okay if you’re still at a beginner level! The instructions are broken down clearly, which is perfect for someone who needs (stimulating + fun!) practice with a dip pen. If you haven’t learned how to create calligraphy yet, you can check out The Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (or come to Colorado for a workshop). 🙂


    I hope that you enjoy the calligraphy tutorial packet and that you’re able to add this little bee to lots of fun projects! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments; it’s always such a pleasure to hear from you. Thanks very much for reading TPK, and have a wonderful weekend!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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Sketchbooking

About the author

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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90 responses

  1. Kate Avatar
    Kate
    April 14, 2019

    I love this! My husband has a dream of keeping bees some day. I was going to get him a gift for his birthday to get this dream started and I think this flourish on the envelope would be perfection! Thank you❤️

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      Bee keeping is such a wonderful pastime–I would love to do it here in Boulder, too! I am sure the envelope turned out beautiful 🙂 XO

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  2. Connie Fischbauer Avatar
    Connie Fischbauer
    April 13, 2019

    Thank you for the tutorial!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      You’re very welcome 🙂

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  3. Kristine Avatar
    Kristine
    April 13, 2019

    I LOVE these! So elegant and creative. Cannot wait to get started on calligraphy. This will for sure be on the list!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      Thank you so much! I am so so excited for you to begin your calligraphy journey, Kristine! XO

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  4. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa
    April 13, 2019

    These are so fun! Thank you for sharing! ❤️

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      You’re welcome! 🙂

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  5. e.wenzelmyles Avatar
    e.wenzelmyles
    April 12, 2019

    Thanks for this! I’ve been hoping for a how-to since getting the garden drills, and it’s great of you to share.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      I’m glad you were looking forward to this extension of that drill set!! I love the bee and have gotten such wonderful feedback about it. Thank you 🙂 XO

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  6. wangq001 Avatar
    wangq001
    April 12, 2019

    Thank you so much for sharing this, Lindsey! Been wanting to try it!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you’ve been looking forward to it 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  7. Tanya Lillie Avatar
    Tanya Lillie
    April 12, 2019

    Love this. My students are creating Multimedia content on the importance of bees. This is a perfect tutorial for inspiration.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      Such an important topic! XO

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  8. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth
    April 12, 2019

    Love, love this!!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      Thank you 🙂

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  9. Gloria Brown Avatar
    Gloria Brown
    April 12, 2019

    Just downloaded the bee tutorial!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      Awesome! XO

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  10. Britnay Wimberly Avatar
    Britnay Wimberly
    April 12, 2019

    I love this! I recently completed a few of your other worksheets, Though I did them Digitally. The helped sooo much just after one page! The bunny was by far my favorite, I’ll need to give this one a shot too.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 20, 2019

      It’s cool to hear you did them digitally! I am going to start doing some exciting stuff with the iPad soon! If you liked the bunny, this one is right up your alley! XO

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🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around be 🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around because my kids love to color (right now, their pages of choice are K-Pop Demon Hunter-themed). While I’m always down for some adult coloring, I also love to letter with crayons! In the latest TPK tutorial — link in bio — you’ll learn how to make this cozy ombré wax crayon calligraphy. 🍁 Switch up the color scheme if you’re not a pumpkin spice person! This technique looks great with light blue, dark blue, and dark purple; or light green, dark green, and dark blue. #crayoncalligraphy #crayolacrayons #waxcrayons #adultcoloring #autumnart #cozylettering #handlettering #lettering
A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson 1 of the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (seriously, join us — enrollment is a *steal* at $5/month, and you get complimentary tutorials [that happen to complement the course] — link in bio)! People seemed to like the story in that clip, so here’s another fun story from the same lesson. Sorry, I can’t confirm who the client was! That was a project with an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). 🤐 Still: a very fun, very cool experience ... I’m grateful that calligraphy has given me cool adventures and connected me to such an amazing community. ✍️

#calligraphystory #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #beginnercalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy
Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraph Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course doesn’t actually start with the pointed pen! ✍️ Instead, we ease into it with faux calligraphy and then pencil calligraphy. Here’s a little preview of what the pencil calligraphy lesson looks like. ✏️

If you’ve been wanting to learn calligraphy, join us in this course. It is an absolute *steal* because it’s included with your TPK Premium membership ($5/month - cancel anytime). Once the course concludes in January, you can choose to purchase lifetime access to the videos; or just continue on with us to the next course. For more information, visit the link in my bio!

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pencilcalligraphy #blackwingpencil #pencilart #letteringart #handlettering #modernlettering #artisticletters #artisticlettering
I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Mode I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (🎉 JOIN US! link in profile for enrollment info!!) — and wanted to share this story from Lesson 1. In that lesson, we’ll chat about how to develop your motivation (this story is part of me sharing mine); and we’ll ease into our pointed pen experience with faux calligraphy and pencil calligraphy. Step by step, you’ll develop skills that will serve you for a lifetime ... and surprise and delight those around you, just like my “rent check envelopes” did! ✉️

#mailart #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #storytime #calligraphy #snailmail #snailmailrevolution
Some recipes aren’t just instructions — they’re memories on a page. 💛 I spent some time illustrating one of my favorites, and it turned into the sweetest (literally) keepsake. Calligraphy, watercolor, and a little patience bring the story of a dish to life.

If you’d like to try illustrating your favorite recipe, too, I shared the full process (with helpful printables) on the TPK Blog — link in bio. ✨

#illustratedrecipe #calligraphyart #watercolorillustration #creativeproject #keepsakeart #slowcreativity #handletteringlove #moderncalligraphy #calligraphyinspiration #watercolorart
As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recip As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recipe takes it one step further. ✨ In TPK’s latest tutorial (link in bio), I’ll show you how to create an illustrated chocolate lava cake recipe using watercolor. You’ll find helpful PDFs and step-by-step instructions so you can follow along — or use the layout to bring one of your own favorite dishes to life.

Frame it as keepsake art, or give it as a thoughtful handmade gift this holiday season. 🎁

#illustratedrecipe #watercolorart #calligraphycommunity #foodillustration #arttutorial #watercolortutorial #creativeprojects #handmadegifts #keepsakeart #thepostmansknock
✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesso ✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesson 5 of Hand Lettering 101 was this playful project: design an artistic alphabet where no two letters look the same.

The idea? JUST PLAY. 🎨 I used watercolor and a paintbrush, but many students grabbed markers, pens, or anything colorful on hand. The results were incredible — @adriennelovesletters gave it her own flair, Isabel C. made it three times, and Laura M. created a stunning version too. (You can peek at more inside the TPK Premium Discord!)

If you’re ready to try this project yourself, you’ll find the Hand Lettering 101 eCourse waiting in the TPK Catalog. Just head to the link in my bio to be taken to the TPK website. 💌

#handlettering #watercolorlettering #moderncalligraphy #letteringpractice #creativeplay #calligraphycommunity #artinspiration #calligraphyart #watercolorart #letterlove #tpkpremium #handlettering101
Had the best time writing the latest tutorial on t Had the best time writing the latest tutorial on the TPK Blog — “Drawing Lesson: Elegant Swallows” (🔗 link in bio). If you’ve never drawn birds before, swallows are an excellent place to start. Their shapes are simple once you break them down! ✍️ 

In the tutorial, you’ll find:

🪶 Step-by-step visual instructions for drawing swallows in four different movements
🪶 The “Hand-Drawn Swallows Cheat Sheet” PDF
🪶 A detailed tutorial for making the mail art shown here

On another note, I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to TPK Premium and Premium Plus members ... your support allows me to write cool detailed tutorials like this one. 🙏 You all are amazing, and I’m so proud of our community.

#mailart #snailmail #illustration #illustrationtutorial #drawingtutorial #drawinginstructions #birdart #swallowsart #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pointedpen
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